Module 1
Inorganic
Chemistry
Period 3 Elements
Ung Hie Huong
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Students should be able to:
Describe the reactions of Period 3 elements with oxygen
Interpret the ability of elements to act as oxidising and reducing agents
Describe the reactions of Period 3 elements with water
Describe and explain the acid-base properties of oxides of Period 3 elements
1.1
Introduction to Period 3 elements
Group
Element
13
14
15
16
17
18
Na
Mg
Al
Si
Cl
Ar
Atomic radius
Decreases
Entalphy of fusion
Decreases
Entalphy of
vaporisation
Decreases
First ionisation
energy
Increases
Electronegativity
Increases
Type of element
Electrical
conductivity
Type of bond
Metal
Metalloid
Nonmetal
Conductor
Semi
conductor
Nonconductor
Metallic bond
Physical state of
element at r.t.p.
Covalent bond
Solid
Atomic radius (coded by ball size)
Gas
1.2
Reaction of Period 3 elements with oxygen
Group
Element
+
O2
13
14
15
16
17
18
Na
Mg
Al
Si
Cl
Ar
Na2O
MgO
Al2O3
SiO2
P4O6/ P4O10
(In excess O2)
Element
Sodium, Na
Magnesium,
Mg
Aluminium,
Al
Silicon, Si
Phosphorus,
P
Sulphur, S
Reaction with oxygen (Observation/ Equation)
Observation
Burns in oxygen with a bright yellow flame.
A white ionic solid, sodium oxide (Na2O) is formed.
Equation
4Na(s)
Observation
Burns in oxygen with a brilliant white flame.
A white ionic solid, magnesium oxide (MgO) is formed.
Equation
2Mg(s)
Observation
Burns in oxygen with a brilliant white flame.
A white ionic solid, aluminium oxide (Al2O3) is formed.
Equation
4Al(s)
Observation
Reacts slowly with oxygen.
White solid, silicon dioxide (SiO2) is formed.
Note: Silicon dioxide or silicon(IV) oxide has a giant
covalent structure.
Equation
Si(s)
Observation
White phosphorus bursts into flames spontaneously when
exposed to air.
In limited amount of air: Phosphorus trioxide, P4O6, is
formed.
In excess air: Phosphorus pentoxide, P4O10, is formed.
Equation
In limited amount of air: P4(s) + 3O2(g)
P4O6(s)
In excess air: P4(s) + 5O2(g)
P4O10(s)
Observation
Sulphur
Sulphur
Sulphur
trioxide,
Equation
S(s) + O2(g)
2SO2(g) + O2(g)
+ O2(g)
2Na2O(s)
White
+ O2(g)
+ 3O2(g)
+ O2(g)
2MgO(s)
White
2Al2O3(s)
White
SiO2(s)
White
burns with a blue flame.
dioxide, SO2 (colourless gas) is formed.
dioxide, SO2 can be oxidised slowly to sulphur
SO3.
SO2(g)
2SO3(g)
1.3
Reaction of Period 3 elements with water
Group
Element
+
H2O
13
14
15
16
17
18
Na
Mg
Al
Si
Cl
Ar
NaOH
MgO
HCl + HOCl
Element
Sodium, Na
Magnesium,
Mg
Chlorine,
Cl2
Reaction with water (Observation/ Equation)
Observation
Reacts vigorously with water.
Forms an alkaline solution (turns pink litmus solution to
blue) & hydrogen gas (gives a pop sound with burning
splinter)
Equation
2Na(s)
Observation
Does not react with water.
React with steam.
Forms magnesium oxide (MgO) and hydrogen gas.
Equation
Mg(s)
Observation
Reacts slowly with water.
Forms acidic solution, hydrochloric acid and chloric(I) acid.
Blue litmus solution turns red, then bleached/ decolourised.
Equation
Cl2(g)
+ 2H2O(l)
+ H2O(g)
+ H2O(l)
2NaOH(aq)
Alkali
MgO(s)
HCl(aq)
+ H2(g)
+ H2(g)
+ HOCl(aq)
Bleaching agent
ALL noble gases (Group 18 elements) are inert
and unreactive.
This is due to their duplet and octet valence
electron configuration.
The valence orbitals are all fully filled &
stable.
1.4
Acid-base properties of oxides of the Period 3 elements
Group
Oxide
Oxidation number
1
Na2O
2
MgO
13
Al2O3
14
SiO2
+1
+2
+3
+4
Ionic-covalent
Giant covalent
Structure
Physical state (r.t.p.)
Acid-base property
+ Water
+ HCl
Ionic
Solid
Basic
Dissolves
Weakly Basic
Insoluble
Na2O + H2O
2NaOH
The lattice energy
that hold Mg2+ ions
and O2 ions
together is too high
Dissolves
Na2O + 2HCl
2NaCl + H2O
+ NaOH
Dissolves
MgO + 2HCl
MgCl2 + H2O
Amphoteric
Insoluble
Dissolves
Al2O3 + 6HCl
2AlCl3 + 3H2O
Dissolves
Al2O3 + 2NaOH
+ 3H2O
2NaAl(OH)4
Sodium aluminate
Electric conductivity
Acidic
Insoluble
Electrolyte (in molten & aqueous state)
15
P4O6
P4O10
+3
+5
Liquid
Solid
Acidic
Dissolves
16
SO2
SO3
+4
+6
Simple covalent
Gas
Gas
Acidic
Dissolves
17
Cl2O
Cl2O7
+1
+7
Gas
Liquid
Acidic
Dissolves
P4O6 + 6H2O
4H3PO3
SO2 + H2O
H2SO3
Cl2O + H2O
2HClO
P4O10 + 6H2O
4H3PO4
SO3 + H2O
H2SO4
Cl2O7 + H2O
2HClO4
Dissolves in
conc. NaOH
SiO2 + 2NaOH
Na2SiO3 +
H2O
Why is aluminium oxide amphoteric?
Because it is an ionic compound with partial covalent character.
Non-electrolyte